The self dealing aspect is what gives Real Estate agents a "bad image" ( I could have used more colorful language but out of respect did not).  

Hopefully this image posts properly.  

Ill be out of town next week for a wedding in St Paul but any time after that will work.

If there is room in the budget for a porch I think its an excellent idea but even a small, nice perched awning would add a really nice accent and make the front much more 3D(see attached image below)

Don't really need to so long as you have proper bookkeeping.Assume they don't put their name on the deposit slip:1) If the tenants paid by check, a lot of banks shows a softcopy on the online system, so you figure out who paid based on the check image.2) If both pay cash AND they are the same amount, the easiest way is to ask the tenant to send a copy of the receipt (using smartphone) to your property manager, who will then forward to you, so you will know.To be honest, once they know that you ask them every single month, they will self-adjust one way or the other.

I can image there being a lot of competition in your market but I tend to think there are deals in any kind of market.

The issue being that unless I magically meet a bunch of investors soon, I'll have to purchase using my FHA and live in the property for a year while I rehab.

McMenamin's Edgefield was an old poor farm that is now a destination hotel and a huge draw for weddings.

I image the home you are looking at rehabbing is similar in size to mine and it a row home. 

We are just setting up the company now to get our feet on the ground and our image out into the community.